Today, we break from our regular programming to honor those lives lost on September 11, 2001.
A new way to do so is with a visit to the September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. We asked NewYork.com, the only outside entity to sell tickets to the museum, for their suggestions on the best way to visit this must-see space.
A 30-Minute Tour
It’s okay that you only have a short time to spend in the museum – you’ll have plenty of time to do it justice.
- Skip the intro video and go directly to the third floor. Note how it incorporates pieces of the Twin Tower foundation in the design.
- You’ll feel as if you are part of the actual day, understanding the events in historical context, viewing news clipping, and even able to listen to audio of distress calls. We understand that this may be disturbing, but you can also learn about the architecture and history of the Twin Towers and a well-done film on the rise of Al-Qaeda.
- Don’t forget to pause at the famous steel cross — which stood at the Twin Towers site after the attacks — which rises over the hall.
- You’ll exit at Foundation Hall and view memorial inscriptions and mementos.
Spend an Hour
Spend just a bit longer in the museum and you’ll find ample time to see most of the exhibits.
- Add in the North and South Tower galleries, where you’ll learn additional information about the day and how events in each tower occurred.
- You’ll also want to view the Memorial Exhibition, where you can see photos of all 2,977 people who lost their lives. Each picture offers interactive details with more info about that person’s life and a room where you can hear family and friends talk about their loved ones.
- Watch “Rebirth at Ground Zero,” a film about the new World Trade Center.
Spend Two Hours or More
It’s easy to dedicate a day to the museum — or a long afternoon — but you’ll find that you can see the entire space in about two hours. If you don’t have a time limit, don’t miss the following:
- The 15-minute intro film.
- The September 11, 2001 exhibit, which is best viewed after the memorial exhibition on your way out.
- Pause as you exit at the Last Column, a good place to pause and reflect on what you’ve just experienced.
Insider’s Tip: Admission is free for all visitors on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. to close, with the last entry at 7 p.m. Reserve those tickets two weeks in advance on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket window or via online reservation.
{Thank you to the museum for the photographs}